This past Tuesday, October 18, had a light agenda and they were able to complete the Supervisors meeting at the Loyalton Social Hall in a little more than an hour. Here is a summary of what they learned and decided.

During the public comment period, the supervisors were provided with a presentation by the members of the local (Echo, Treasure Mountain, and Sierra Valley) 4-H clubs. Thus, the Board learned the meaning of each H in the 4-H pledge: Head is for clearer thinking, Heart is for greater loyalty, Hands is for greater service, and Health is for better living for their club, community, country, and the world. They also learned the local clubs are engaged in projects concerning beef, sheep, horses, dairy goats, poultry, rabbits, gardening, floriculture, shooting, archery, outdoor adventures, and community service.

Moving on to Department Managers reports, the Board heard from Lea Salas of Behavioral Health about Sierra County receiving $250,000 in November from the State Dept. of Health Care Services to implement CARE (Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment) Court. This new program for providing behavioral health care, medication, and housing services to adults experiencing severe psychological problems was created when Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1338 last month.

Next, Rhonda Grandi, the County’s Public Health Program Manager, reported on the number of flu vaccinations provided to residents recently and she also told the Board there are no known COVID cases currently active in the county.

During Tim Beals’ presentation, the Board learned Public Works have received the new pick-ups ordered several months ago. Beals also was pleased to report the Loyalton Fire Road restoration work funded by FEMA is going very well in Long Valley and FEMA has confirmed they will be reimbursing the county for $600,000 worth of work done over the past three years to repair roads damaged by flooding in 2019. Beals also mentioned work is being done to resolve the reoccurrence of a water quality issue in Sierra Brooks and he alerted the Board to expect a request from the City of Loyalton for assistance with overcoming problems with their water system.

As for the regularly scheduled US Forest Service (USFS) updates, Rachel Hutchinson, Sierra Valley District Ranger, reported they were disappointed recently about receiving no bids on a timber sale near Yuba Pass, however, feedback given by potential buyers will be incorporated into the re-release of the sale and she is hopeful about it being successful.

In the presentation made by Stephanie Coppeto, Acting Ranger for the USFS’s Yuba River District, the Board was informed the Draft Environmental Statement for the North Yuba Forest Resiliency project is slated to be published in the Federal Register on November 4 and in early December there will be public meetings held in Downieville and Camptonville to inform the public about the work to be done. As for the Greene Acres project, Coppeto expects a final decision allowing the project to move forward by March of 2023. Meanwhile, campgrounds will be closing at the end of the month, however, their website will be listing the set of no fee, no service campgrounds available to the public. Coppeto also noted work on removing hazard trees at the Chapman Creek campground is expected to be completed by the end of this week and the public is invited to utilize the mostly lodgepole pines placed along CA-49 for firewood. She also mentioned a USFS trails crew is working to improve OHV access routes from the Cal-Ida Campground.

Next, Sheriff Mike Fisher received unanimous approval from the Board for acceptance of a $49,000 grant from California’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation for the purchase of two jet skis his deputies can use to perform rescue operations and proactive patrols on lakes in the county.

As for the most controversial item on the agenda, the short-term rental ordinance, given the extensive number of hearings about the subject, the Board waived a second reading of the ordinance and, after Supervisor Adams noted any unanticipated consequences resulting from the action can be addressed in the future, the measure passed unanimously.

Then, in short order, the Board adopted resolutions awarding contracts to construction firms for the replacement of bridges over Salmon Creek and Church Creek in the Lakes Basin; \named Supervisor Roen to replace Supervisor Huebner as the alternate representative of the Board at Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) meetings; approved the appointment of Sally Easley to the Sierra County Children and Families Commission; and, approved a letter of support for the Sierra County Fire Safe Council’s application for a grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to help implement the proposed, 1,000 acre, Antelope Creek fuels reduction project.